PSXE's 2006 Game of the Year Awards

We certainly appreciated the return of Gitaroo-Man, and SingStar Rocks! is a most original game. But in the end, we couldnít possibly overlook the greatness of Guitar Hero II, which is easily one of the most entertaining games of the PS2 generation. Centering on that totally kick-ass wireless guitar controller and the wildly addictive rhythm-based gameplay, it could be the best party game in existence. Itís also great as a single-player experience, which is loaded with more songs than ever before and more than a few difficulty levels for all gamer types. Without any shadow of a doubt, Guitar Hero II is the best of the best in this category.

Best Role-Playing Game

Nominees

Kingdom Hearts II (PS2)

Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria (PS2)

Final Fantasy XII (PS2)

Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth (PSP)

Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories (PS2)

Winner: Final Fantasy XII

It was a great year for RPG fans, but even so, nothing could come close to touching the quality of Final Fantasy XII. Packed with more open-ended freedom and depth than any FF before, possibly the best voice acting in videogame history, and a completely revamped and restyled combat engine, this RPG had it all. Sporting the best visuals to ever be seen on the PS2 is a mere bonus to the overall experience, and RPG fans everywhere got one hell of a gift, courtesy of Square-Enix. We would like to add that three of the five nominees were from the same company; the Valkyrie Profiles offered the deepest battle mechanics out there, but couldnít compete with Final Fantasy XIIís polish and production value.

Best Sports Game

Nominees

Pro Evolution Soccer 6 (PS2)

Fight Night Round 3 (multi)

NCAA Football 2007 (multi)

Madden NFL 2007 (multi)

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 (multi)

Winner: Fight Night Round 3

It seems only fitting that in the year of Rocky Balboaís return, a boxing game wins the Sports title. But itís not about nostalgia, here, itís about one of the most realistic and immersive boxing games ever; you will actually feel as if youíre in the ring, especially if youíre playing one of the next-gen versions. While the football games were excellent as always, and Pro Evolution Soccer 6 was yet another supreme soccer title for the PS2, we just had to reward the depth and physics prowess of the latest Fight Night game. It may not get as much attention, what with all the other big-name titles out there in 2006, but it deserves any praise it receives.